or as Sara calls it, my strokaversary….
today I felt a bit tired, and down when the doctor told me about possibly having to go to Halifax for another heart test and the lovely, kind physiotherapists remarked that some folks never recover use of their hand. i’m officially a 2-person transfer here in the hospital since i tangled my feet two days ago and fell on my way to the chair.
whats been hardest is not being absolutely sure my condition has bottomed out yet. i know it will be a long hard road to whatever recovery i’m fated for. but i’d like to be going the right direction at least.
hard to believe i walked 90 km with my youngest up the southwest coast of cape breton just a couple weeks ago, and 23 km from Pomquet Beach to Antigonish on the eve of the stroke. right now my pilgrimage is to shuffle my walker to the end of the hall with one of the saints who works here helping hold my completely unresponsive left hand on the handle and me coaxing my reluctant left foot to listen to me and lift and step.
but then tonight I was able to lift my bad foot up on the bed by myself, in what seemed a momentary miracle, and I think I moved my thumb a hairbreadth (Sara saw it too). I’ll take these small victories for now.
somethinggrand 
56 replies on “one week post-stroke”
I’m praying that you are on the upswing. Please keep us posted and know we are hoping for some progress each day. Love, Naomi & Jim
hi folks – thanks for the prayers…I’m relying on them. The small steps forward continue
Ignore the naysayers who say some folks never regain use of the hand. Before my hip replacement a doctor said to me oh well you will have to give up walking long distances obviously! Well, no, not so obvious, after the hip op I worked very hard, delayed a bit by the pandemic, and recently did walk 16k for example. So not bad. You can do it, ignore the negatives!
thanks, Angela….that’s my plan. After conquering getting to the toilet my plan is to walk a small hill outside the hospital in coming months
thinking of you Matthew and wishing you a speedy recovery.
love Debbie & Brian.
thank you! I’m grateful for the family support
Those are huge victories! Great work!
thanks, they sure feel like big victories!
thank you, friend
Sooner than either of us expects, we’ll be walking down a road somewhere and you’ll be telling me about your recovery.
from your lips to God’s ears…
Thanks for sharing your journey Matthew. Prayers continue… with gratitude for miracles of any and all sizes
thanks Allen. It was good to see you and GA on livestream today. I’m grateful for these small steps, which continue, and for your prayers
Thanks for the update. We will be following in the weeks to come. Wishing you the best as you meet these new challenges
thanks, Dennis. I’m extremely grateful for the prayers
Praying! Thanks for the update. Keep strong and celebrate every small victory.
thankyou…yes: every small victory….
Matthew , you and Sara are very brave. I wish you the best with all my heart. Thank you for letting us of your progress. It’s day by day, I guess. And it’s difficult to do. God be with you.
thanks Naomi. It’s certainly not easy but Im trying to think of it one step and small improvement, at a time
So sorry to hear about your stroke, but it’s great you keep your humour and are able to write. I have turned 81 years and I’m telling everybody to do what they can and feel like before reaching 80. The challenge is accepting to be able to do 50% of what I used to do.life is still great, you’re on my prayer list and I will never forget the time I met you at Concordia in Montreal. Let the Norwegian genes give you strength!. Kirsten Damas.
Thanks Kirsten. Sara says I’m nothing if not determined. I’ll take your advice to heart and rely on your prayers
Annette and I are Praying for you and your family in the recovery ahead!!
Tom Haight
thank you, Tom….that means a lot to me
Thanks so much for keeping us updated. I am thinking of you and Sara all the time and sending up prayers for you. This is the eve of Camino NS South Shore route. We are all gathered at St Luke’s in Tantallon where you help the creative pop-up. I’ll be channeling your caring spirit for the pilgrims so I can take care of them as you did for us. They set out tomorrow! Peace be with you.
thanks for thinking of me, Joann. Much appreciated!
I appreciate the update Matthew. Keeping you and your recovery in my prayers.
thanks Dennis….very much appreciated
Your determination will guide you to a full recovery Matt. A formidable hurdle but not insurmountable for someone with your will and fortitude. Do not waver! Take care. Stew
thanks Stew. it’s a situation where a coach is useful! small steps, but forward!
Your most courageous pilgrimage yet! You know how this works. So proud of you.
True enough Karen. It’s amazing how many similarities there are
Dear Matthew,
I was saddened to read this. What to say without sounding corny….hang in there seems what comes to mind. Love will get you through this. You are in my thoughts and though I am not a religious person, I consider myself to be spiritual. My meditation today will be dedicated to you.
Monique 🙏
Envoyé de mon iPad
Thanks Monique… I’m thankful for any meditation intentions you send my way!
Hooray for your victories!
Kevin these last days, I’ve thought about you and your stroke so often! Thank you.
prayers continue as you navigate this rollercoaster, physical, emotional and spiritual!
thank you,Paul! I need them!
Hugs,lots of them💕
Thanks Ulla. I need them all!
I can feel the GF Park support..thank you!
love you Matthew, keep up the great effort and trust in the Lord.
Mom
parks
thank you fhey’re sustaining me and Sara, and deeply appreciated
Matthew. So lousy that this happened! But we’re so glad you’re still with us, on this side of the sod! We love you and need more of your wise, funny, witty words of wisdom. One step at a time, eh? Easy does it. No hurry. Sounds like you have great folks taking care of you. Yay for that! I know you’ll keep us posted when you can.
thanks Ellie…will do my best. I’m neither fast nor efficient at the moment. but Sara is taking good care of me
Little by little. We’re all pulling for you, Matthew. 💗👍🏻😊
❤
Super happy to hear about the small (but also huge!) victories! I hope your recovery goes well! Don’t worry about us in class, we are just happy to hear you are OK and on the road to recovery!
thanks Arden, and thank you SO much for the stars! I’m very thankful my brilliant students are being so well cared-for!
Lorraine and I thank God for you and your “small miracles,” and we continue to pray for your renewed health and wholeness.
Thank you! I wouldn’t be able to hop a bus and meet you for a play just now, but I hope that day someday arrives
Perhaps all of those km logged during your many pilgrimages have been ‘imbedded’ in your muscle memory which can only help with your recovery! Sending Love to you both❤️
That’s what I’m hoping, Joy – thanks! Looking forward to hopefully logging a few more miles!
Judy Erickson a friend from walks! Keep trying I had to have my Aeorta valve replaced and the doc said because I was fit from all the walking I did that I came out of it so good. So all our walking does pay off. So I have no doubts this little set back won’t keep you down for long. Hugs and prayers to you Matt and Sara.
thank you, Judy. Pray that this path will eventually bring me back to walking! much appreciated!
Dear Matthew. Hugh just shared your post as I wasn’t aware what has occurred in your life. Sending you much love, respect and a balloon full of faith and recovery. Respectfully, Louise B. Halfe
Dear Louise, I’m so pleased to be in touch, and to receive that balloon of faith and recovery. Some days, like today, are slow and seem to have little progress. But overall, I’m buoyed by a lot of love, and Sara has been so stalwart, funny, and supportive. I’m hoping we can walk together again someday….